Azazel dashed across the SWA-7 campus to the infirmary as soon as he heard the quadcopter return. He wasn’t there in time to be with Ruth as she died. The medic pulled the linen back to allow Azazel to see the body. He surprised everyone in the room by walking over to the gurney and studying the mangled face for at least half a minute.
Showing no emotion, other than a long sigh, he turned and asked, “How is Jon?”
“We just put him on a ship to the orbiter, heavily sedated, of course. A surgeon is scheduled to see him the minute he arrives.”
“Good. Let me know as soon as you get an update.” Azazel left the infirmary and walked slowly back to his office. As he was opening the door the video-com’s incoming call light began flashing.
Though calm on the exterior, he was a cauldron of crackli
